How do you start up your insert from cold start ?

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Why would a insert be any diff then a free stander when it comes to starting a fire?
But anyways top down seems to really work well for people so as not to have a smokey start off.
 
In my non-cat, I use top down (criss cross the levels) with a bunch of cedar kindling and newspaper knots. Works every time without issue.
 
Open the inlet air and bypass. I save the small stuff from splitting to build a small pile and then pile some larger pieces on top, 1 split to each side with a couple on top. I know its cheating but I use a propane torch for about 30 seconds, close the door and bypass. Wait a bit and adjust the inlet air.
 
I take a few pages of newspaper, wind them up into a torch and light the top of it while holding it up to the ceiling of the stove where the gasses exit. That is usually enough to get a draft started.
 
I load the night before, I have the luxury of having an insert on both sides of my chimney in an open concept. I also use multiple fuel types, so I just stack it in there and stick a small SC chunk near the byinlet. When I wake up I just hit that SC, leave the door open a crack, in 5 minutes close her up.
 
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